But council’s general manager isn’t taking anything for granted.

Warwick Bennett says he and Mayor Geoff Kettle have met with representatives of neighbouring councils and are working their way through a checklist ahead of NSW local government reforms.

Mr Bennett says a central location, strong financial position, growth opportunity and quality infrastructure mean Goulburn Mulwaree should avoid forced amalgamation - or total abolishment.

Mayor Geoff Kettle confirmed the pair had already met with Upper Lachlan Shire, Yass Valley and Palerang Councils. They will meet with Wingecarribee Shire council in coming weeks.

The state government’s ‘Fit for the Future’ local government reforms are firmly on the agenda.

“We are all working on our submissions and seeing what we look like individually and we will meet again before June when those are due,” Cr Kettle said.

“…The best way ahead is to sit down and take an objective look at each council and ask whether they’re financially sustainable. My feeling is that a majority of these little ones are not.

“I’m told by the general manager that we are financially sound but why wouldn’t we entertain discussions with our neighbours to make a stronger LGA?” He would not reveal at this stage whether Goulburn Mulwaree was favouring amalgamation or a joint organisation of councils.

Councillors have sanctioned the mayor and Mr Bennett to undertake discussions.

Then Goulburn Mulwaree councillors will discuss the outcome in a closed workshop in February.

“But we will be taking this to the community as well,” Cr Kettle said.

Some councils had “dug their heels in” and resolved not to do anything. The mayor argued this was premature.

In announcing the reforms last year Premier Mike Baird said changes must be made.

Local government was costing the state $1 million a day and was unsustainable in its present format.

But Upper Lachlan Shire resolved at its December 18 meeting to stand alone.

“The council has looked at its financial situation and what’s in front of it,” general manager John Bell said.

“We’ve also discussed the state’s TCorp (financial) rating, which was sound and that it rated our assets as strong, one of the few in the state that were.

“We see that we have the capacity to be sustainable in the long-term…We’ve had meetings with surrounding councils and there is no appetite for anything other than standing alone, other than Boorowa and Young- Harden.”

But Mr Bell didn’t rule out resource sharing between councils, which he said Upper Lachlan did already.

The Premier has offered a $258 million carrot to those councils willing to amalgamate.

A state government executive committee will begin the process of deciding the makeup of local governments in July.

Goulburn Mulwaree has six months to sell itself.

“(Our) position is that we are fit for the future as we are,” Mr Bennett said.

“We’ve got a lot of growth opportunity, we’re financially sustainable and we’re addressing the big issues of ensuring the community is well served through good roads, upgraded sewers and excellent water supplies.

“All our infrastructure is able to cope with what is required for a modern day local government. We’re able to fend for ourselves.”

Mr Bennett’s proclamation is no guarantee Goulburn Mulwaree Council will continue in its existing format beyond 2015.

The Premier has made it clear changes must occur.

“We know that the status quo is not sustainable. Losing a million dollars a day is not something we can ask the community to bear,” Mr Baird told October’s Local Government conference.

It’s little surprise, therefore, Mr Bennett is shying away from complacency.

“Everything is on the table,” he said.

“Council’s got an open mind on what will be the future.

The important issue is what is best for our community.”